Could I Upgrade This Prebuilt?

[Hotpeppa1]

So I would like to upgrade this computer (specs below). I am not sure if the motherboard is locked to a certain configuration.

CPU: i7 860 @2.8ghz

GPU: Ati Radeon 5540 (1gb)

Mobo: Acer h57m01

PSU: Not sure.

RAM: 8gb DDR3

Storage: 1tb HDD

I would also like to add a SSD and move the os to the SSD (Win10). And add a GPU like a r7 370 4gb or a r9 380 4gb.Also would the i7 bottleneck any of those cards? Thanks!

[Juanse]

Yes, windows installs are tied to the mobo, you'll just need to reinstall it on the ssd with the same key

I don't think it will bottleneck too much, it'll be good for now

[reddemonoverlord]

So I would like to upgrade this computer (specs below). I am not sure if the motherboard is locked to a certain configuration.

CPU: i7 860 @2.8ghz

GPU: Ati Radeon 5540 (1gb)

Mobo: Acer h57m01

PSU: Not sure.

RAM: 8gb DDR3

Storage: 1tb HDD

I would also like to add a SSD and move the os to the SSD (Win10). And add a GPU like a r7 370 4gb or a r9 380 4gb.Also would the i7 bottleneck any of those cards? Thanks!

most pre-builds have a psu that is just barely able to hold the system. if you upgrade the psu you can upgrade the rest as you save up, but the best thing for you to do is to save up for a while and build a whole system as the parts usually are lower quality, that being said its not like it couldn't handle the upgrade, again you would just need the psu! Cheers, hope i helped

[oskarha]

You would have no problems getting an ssd into that system, and a new gpu would probably be fine aswell, just make shure you have enought space in yopur case and a good enough psu (you probably want a new one as most prebuilts come with chinese bombs with fans attatched to them).

Also that i7 is still great

[SteveGrabowski0]

So I would like to upgrade this computer (specs below). I am not sure if the motherboard is locked to a certain configuration.

CPU: i7 860 @2.8ghz

GPU: Ati Radeon 5540 (1gb)

Mobo: Acer h57m01

PSU: Not sure.

RAM: 8gb DDR3

Storage: 1tb HDD

I would also like to add a SSD and move the os to the SSD (Win10). And add a GPU like a r7 370 4gb or a r9 380 4gb.Also would the i7 bottleneck any of those cards? Thanks!

 

An i7-860 will probably bottleneck an R9 380.

[runit3]

So I would like to upgrade this computer (specs below). I am not sure if the motherboard is locked to a certain configuration.

CPU: i7 860 @2.8ghz

GPU: Ati Radeon 5540 (1gb)

Mobo: Acer h57m01

PSU: Not sure.

RAM: 8gb DDR3

Storage: 1tb HDD

I would also like to add a SSD and move the os to the SSD (Win10). And add a GPU like a r7 370 4gb or a r9 380 4gb.Also would the i7 bottleneck any of those cards? Thanks!

If you want an R9 380 you'll also want to OC the i7-860 (you will need a new cooler). Bottlenecking will be roughly comparable to an FX-8 (non-OC) setup. Not the worst matchup, but certainly not the most optimal. This statement assumes you're using a 1080p 60Hz monitor, if you're on 1440p everything will be fine. 1080p over 60Hz will make the bottlenecking more pronounced.

 

Adding an SSD and cloning over the current OS is probably the best performance upgrade you can get, aside from the new GPU. If you want better boot/daily driver performance go SSD first, if you care more about gaming performance go GPU+PSU first.

[Nena Trinity]

If you are gonna add a new GPU ya need a new PSU most likely...